When England’s crushing 3-0 Test series victory over the once-dominant West Indies was completed earlier this month, a number of current Caribbean stars were getting ready for lucrative stays in the Hundred category of English domestic cricket.
All-around player Andre Russell is one of five West Indian players, along with teammate Shimron Hetmyer of Spirit, Nicholas Pooran of Northern Superchargers, Rovman Powell of Trent Rockets, and Kieron Pollard of Southern Brave, who are all in the maximum £125,000 ($160,000) bracket for this year’s competition.
Russell’s only red-ball cap came in 2010, while Pooran, Powell, and Pollard have never played a single Test despite being well-known as explosive batters on the franchise circuit.
It’s been said for a while that the Caribbean players find franchise cricket especially appealing because of Cricket West Indies’ relative lack of financial power, but Russell says there are other reasons why players from the region are choosing to end their first-class careers early.
He told Britain’s PA news agency, “I don’t think it’s the money, I don’t think money is the issue.”
“I’m always excited watching the other West Indian batters, especially when they’re hitting boundary after boundary,” the 36-year-old continued.
“Everyone wants to play on the big stage, but as long as you can do well from contracts outside of your nation, I think they will seize that opportunity.”
“I am confident that young players will be eager to participate if Test cricket becomes a major event. Simply said, I don’t believe it has to do with money or anything similar.
Russell, who is sure that he is not built for five days of Test cricket, expressed sympathy for the West Indies team, whom England thrashed in less than ten days of the scheduled fifteen.
Russell clarified, “I don’t think my body will keep up with Test cricket; red-ball cricket is not my cookie.” “However, the current members of the team are capable and rising to the occasion.
During the Test series, they had a couple opportunities to make things right. It will never be easy for the West Indies to play England at home.”